Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake called alleged comments made by President Trump regarding Haitians and Nigerians the latest unacceptable examples of the President’s “racist, ignorant and bigoted language.” He condemned Trump as an irrational man with a long history of discriminatory and reprehensible behavior. “We cannot normalize such reckless, inaccurate and dangerous rhetoric that furthers promotes a notion of white supremacy over communities of color, said Blake in a statement. According to a New York Times report, citing multiple unnamed sources, the President used a series of slurs to describe foreigners who received visas since he took office. The White House denies Trump said Haitian immigrants “all have AIDS.” Press Secretary Sarah Sanders shot down the “outrageous claims,” stating that senior officials who were in the meeting refuted them.

Cuomo Launches New Comprehensive Paid Family Leave Policy

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this week the launch of the nation’s strongest, most progressive and most comprehensive Paid Family Leave policy. Starting January 1, 2018, New Yorkers will have job-protected paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a loved one with a serious health condition or help relieve family pressures when a loved one is called to active military service abroad. When fully phased in, New Yorkers will be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid time off.

Additional information on New York State’s Paid Family Leave law, along with numerous resources for employers and workers, can be found on the Paid Family Leave website.

Senator Jeff Klein unveils ‘Nightmare Neighbors’ Report

Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and members of the Independent Democratic Conference released a new investigative report on the impact of poorly maintained bank-owned properties on communities. The report, “Nightmare Neighbors: How Badly Maintained Homes Damage Neighborhoods,” found that these dilapidated homes cause nearly $54 million in depreciation for surrounding homeowners throughout the city. The report identified 77 bank owned properties in The Bronx, of which 61 percent, or 47, were found to have a combined 1,063 open violations with HPD and DOB. Klein also introduced legislation to stiffen penalties for banks that fail to maintain their properties.

Espaillat To Hold State of the District Event

Rep. Adriano Espaillat announced this week plans to hold his first State of the District Forum on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 809 Restaurant located at 112 Dyckman Street in Upper Manhattan from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Espaillat invites constituents to join for a legislative update and a presentation on the road ahead in the new year.

Carl Lundgren, Green Party

Lundgren For Senate

Former 2017 Council District 18 Green Party candidate Carl Lundgren is the latest person to challenge Bronx/Westchester State Sen. Jeff Klein (D-34 SD). When he challenged Klein in 2016, Lungren polled 2.99 percent of the vote. Lundgren has been an activist with Shut Down Indian Point Now and Hutchinson River Restoration Project. Klein leads the breakaway Democratic caucus, the Independent Democratic Conference which has an effective working relationship with the chamber’s GOP majority. Senate District 34 covers Riverdale, Morris Park, Mt. Vernon, Pelham and Pelham Manor.

State Senator Jeff Klein with NYSBCA President Bree Allen during the association’s annual convention in Lake George, NY. Photo: NYSBCA

Klein Earns Legislator of the Year Award From School Bus Operators
This week the New York School Bus Contractors Association presented New York State Senator Jeff Klein of the Bronx with its Distinguished Service Award. Senator Klein was hailed as a key advocate for critical school bus safety bills supported by the NYSBCA, including legislation that would increase the penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus.

This Week’s Best Tweets

Where In The World Is Michael Blake?

Apparently, Kyoto, Japan is the latest stop for the borough’s peripatetic state lawmaker.

Where The Pols Are, December 24-25

Sunday, December 24

Governor Cuomo is in Albany.

Mayor Bill de Blasio is in New York City and has no public events scheduled.

Comptroller Stringer has no public schedule.

Public Advocate James has no public schedule for December 23 – 25, 2017.

12:00 PM – Council Member Andy King, the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program and RiverBay Corporation, will host a holiday party from noon to 5 p.m., at 177 Dreiser Loop Auditorium, Co-op City, Bronx.

Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

Public Advocate James has no public schedule for December 23 – 25, 2017.

11:00 AM – Mayor de Blasio will deliver remarks at the National Action Network’s annual Christmas Day toy give-away and community meal. House of Justice, 106 West 145th Street, Manhattan.— Compiled by Michael Benjamin

Author: Michael Benjamin
Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.